Nanoparticle-filled polymers

Abstract

Polymer resins incorporating nanoparticles having a particle size in the range of 1-100 nm and a narrow particle size distribution have improved tensile properties and scratch resistance.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A polymer nanocomposite comprising: 
       a. about 50-99 weight % polymer resin and  
       b. about 1-50 weight % crystalline nanoparticles having particle size from about 1 nm to less than about 100 nm; a narrow particle size distribution and a chemically clean surface,  
       said nanoparticles consisting of one or more metals, one or more metal oxides, one or more metal nitrides, one or more metal carbides, one or more metal sulfides, one or more metal fluorides, one or more metal chlorides, or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
       2. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer resin is chosen from the group consisting of: epoxy, polycarbonate, silicone, polyester, polyether, polyolefin, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, nylon, polystyrene, polyphenylene oxide, and polyketone and copolymers and blends thereof. 
     
     
       3. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 2 , wherein the polymer resin is an epoxy. 
     
     
       4. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 3 , wherein the epoxy is a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. 
     
     
       5. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are metal oxide nanoparticles. 
     
     
       6. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 5 , wherein the nanoparticles are titanium dioxide nanoparticles. 
     
     
       7. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 1 , wherein the particle size of the nanoparticles ranges from about 1 nm to about less than 50 nm. 
     
     
       8. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 1 , comprising 
       a. about 70-95 weight % polymer resin and  
       b. about 5-30 weight % nanoparticles having particle size from about 1 nm to less than about 100 nm, and a narrow particle size distribution.  
     
     
       9. An epoxy nanocomposite comprising: 
       a. 50-99 weight % epoxy resin and  
       b. 1-50 weight % crystalline, quasi-spherical particles having particle size from about 1 nm to less than about 100 nm, and a narrow particle size distribution distribution, and a chemically clean surface.  
     
     
       10. An epoxy nanocomposite according to  claim 9 , comprising: 
       a. 85-95 weight % epoxy resin and  
       b. 5-15 weight % said crystalline quasi-spherical particles.  
     
     
       11. A polymer An epoxy nanocomposite according to  claim 1 , comprising: 
       a. about 85-95 weight % polymer resin and  
       b. about 5-15 weight % said nanoparticles.  
     
     
       12. A polymer nanocomposite comprising: 
       a. about 50-99 weight % polymer resin and  
       b. about 1-50 weight % crystalline nanoparticles  
       wherein said nanoparticles have a particle size ranging from about 1 nm to less than about 100 nm and a narrow particle size distribution;  
       are composed of one or more metals, one or more metal oxides, one or more metal nitrides, one or more metal carbides, one or more metal sulfides, one or more metal fluorides, one or more metal chlorides, or a mixture thereof; and  
       are synthesized by a gas condensation process.  
     
     
       13. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 12 , wherein the polymer resin is chosen from the group consisting of epoxy, polycarbonate, silicone, polyester, polyether, polyolefin, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, nylon, polystyrene, polyphenylene oxide, and polyketone and copolymers and blends thereof. 
     
     
       14. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 12 , wherein the polymer resin is an epoxy. 
     
     
       15. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 14 , wherein the epoxy is a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. 
     
     
       16. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 12 , wherein the nanoparticles are metal oxide nanoparticles. 
     
     
       17. A polymer nanocomposite according to  claim 12 , wherein the nanoparticles are titanium dioxide nanoparticles.